Tashri — Review by Sonny Side
Baghdad, Iraq — Iraqi
The reviewer experiences authentic Iraqi comfort food at Tashri, where traditional Tashreeb is made with stewed stock, bread, and chicken. The dish features deeply savory umami flavors from slow-cooked chicken and bones with spices like turmeric, cumin, and black dried limes. The reviewer is thoroughly impressed with the tender chicken and bread that absorbs all the rich broth flavors.
What was great: The incredibly soft chicken, the bread completely saturated with flavorful broth, the deep umami and savory flavors from the long-cooked stock with spices, the clever use of dried black limes and cardamom
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The star of the visit is Tashreeb, Iraq's classic comfort dish. The preparation is fascinating - it begins with chopped onions, bell peppers, and bay leaves sauteed in hot oil, followed by the addition of black dried limes and cracked cardamom pods. Fresh chicken goes into the pot along with turmeric, curry powder, cumin, potatoes, and chickpeas, all cooked down into a rich, deeply flavored broth. The bread component is particularly clever - stale bread is repurposed and rehydrated in the hot stock, giving it new life. The name itself is poetic, with Tashreeb literally meaning infusion or to drink, and tash referring to bread drinking the broth.
The Experience
The dining experience is hands-on and cultural. There are no utensils used - diners eat directly with their hands, traditionally using the right hand, though the left is acceptable. The reviewer learns about Iraqi dining customs and the cultural significance of the dish while experiencing it authentically.
Value & Pricing
No pricing information is mentioned in the transcript.
Notable Moments
Oh my god, that's incredible. How do I describe that?
The literal meaning of tre is infusion or like to drink. Calling it tash is just the bread drinking the broth.
It's not enough to say it's savory. It's just a really deep umami flavor that comes from having boiled that chicken and the bones and all these spices together for such a long time.
The Verdict
The reviewer is completely won over by Tashreeb, describing themselves as in love with the dish. The combination of tender chicken, perfectly saturated bread, and the complex spice profile creates an unforgettable experience. This is essential dining for anyone interested in authentic Iraqi cuisine or comfort food that tells a story of resourcefulness and tradition.